Charities

A Devon woman running her first half marathon in aid of Just 4 Children’s Oscar’s Happy Feet has seen her fundraising effort boosted by a housebuilder’s charity fund.

Kerry Vandenbrouck, of Paignton, scooped £1,000 towards her target thanks to the Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative. The match-funding scheme seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life or environment across the region.

Kerry explained: “Oscar is five and from Paignton, he was born 10 weeks prematurely and finally came home after eight weeks in hospital.

“At...

This year will once again see Hospiscare teaming up with local residents who are gladly opening their gardens in support of what is now a favourite staple in the charity’s calendar. This year, Hospiscare Open Gardens is entering its fifteenth year and to date has raised the awe inspiring amount of £227,000. This is thanks to the gardeners who work tirelessly caring for their outdoor spaces, the visitors who turn out in force to marvel at these treasured lands and the friends, family and volunteers who come together to make it all possible.

2018 was a record breaking year for the...

A charity supporting children and young people through the loss of family members has been gifted £1,000 to support its work in the region.

Balloons provides pre and post-bereavement support to children and young people and their families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon and has been awarded funds from Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions fund.

Sara Bennett, for Balloons, said: “The death of a significant loved one is a critical, traumatic moment for children and young people. Unsupported they have poorer health and educational outcomes, are more likely to enter...

Monday saw Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life team with the help of cancer survivor Lyndsey Balsdon, Snap Fitness, and Starbucks, paint the town pink across various locations in the City of Exeter.

The team at Snap Fitness took part in the event by holding a Spinathon. Starbucks also supported the event by handing out Race for Life Coffee cup holders to all their customers, and they even managed to turn their Coffee pink for the day to support such a fantastic cause.

Cancer survivor Lyndsey, now 19-years-old from Okehampton, was five-years-old when she was diagnosed with...